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Technical-docs - Cross-chain

title: "Cross-Chain Interoperability" description: "Overview of Supernova's cross-chain interoperability features, including atomic swaps, bridge protocols, and integration with other blockchain networks."

Cross-Chain Interoperability

Supernova is developing robust cross-chain interoperability solutions to enable seamless asset transfers, data exchange, and composability across multiple blockchain networks. This document outlines the current implementation status and upcoming features.

Current Implementation Status

Supernova's cross-chain interoperability layer is currently under active development. The following components are in various stages of implementation:

✓ Completed Features

  • Basic hash time-locked contract (HTLC) infrastructure
  • Cross-chain message format standardization
  • Transaction verification for Bitcoin-compatible chains
  • Cryptographic proof validation framework
  • Federated multi-signature bridge foundation

⟳ In-Progress Features

  • Trustless atomic swap protocol for BTC, ETH, and other major chains
  • Generalized state verification for smart contract platforms
  • Light client implementations for partner chains
  • Zero-knowledge proof integration for private cross-chain transfers
  • Cross-chain decentralized exchange protocol

○ Planned Features

  • Direct interoperability with layer 2 solutions (rollups, state channels)
  • Cross-chain smart contract composability
  • Decentralized bridge governance system
  • Quantum-resistant cross-chain communication
  • On-chain verification of foreign chain block headers

Atomic Swap Protocol

The Supernova atomic swap protocol enables trustless exchange of assets across different blockchain networks without requiring custodial intermediaries.

Technical Implementation

Supernova's atomic swap implementation uses Hash Time-Locked Contracts (HTLCs) with the following enhancements:

  1. Multi-Phase Commitment: Leverages a three-phase commitment process to ensure safety
  2. Quantum Resistance: Optional quantum-resistant hash functions for long-term security
  3. Privacy Enhancement: Zero-knowledge proofs for private swap execution
  4. Automatic Refund: Time-based automatic refunds with configurable timeouts
  5. Fee Optimization: Dynamic fee adjustment based on network conditions

Supported Chains

| Blockchain | Status | Swap Types | Notes | |------------|-------------------|-----------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Bitcoin | ✓ Complete | UTXO-based | Full support with P2SH and P2WSH | | Ethereum | ⟳ In Progress | Account-based, ERC-20, ERC-721 | Smart contract implementation in testing | | Solana | ⟳ In Progress | SPL Tokens | Program implementation in testing | | Cosmos | ⟳ In Progress | IBC Integration | Using IBC protocol for interoperability | | Polkadot | ○ Planned | Cross-parachain | XCMP-based implementation planned | | Cardano | ○ Planned | Native, Token | EUTXO model adaptation in design |

Sample Atomic Swap Flow

sequenceDiagram
    participant Alice on Supernova
    participant Bob on Bitcoin
    
    Alice on Supernova->>Alice on Supernova: Generate secret S and hash H=hash(S)
    Alice on Supernova->>Bob on Bitcoin: Share H
    
    Bob on Bitcoin->>Bitcoin Network: Create HTLC with hash H
    Bob on Bitcoin->>Alice on Supernova: Confirm HTLC created
    
    Alice on Supernova->>Supernova Network: Create HTLC with same hash H
    Alice on Supernova->>Bob on Bitcoin: Confirm HTLC created
    
    Alice on Supernova->>Supernova Network: Claim Bob's funds using secret S
    note right of Alice on Supernova: S is now revealed on-chain
    
    Bob on Bitcoin->>Bitcoin Network: Claim Alice's funds using same secret S
    
    note over Alice on Supernova,Bob on Bitcoin: Swap completed atomically

Bridge Infrastructure

Supernova is implementing a multi-layered bridge solution for more complex cross-chain interactions beyond simple asset transfers.

Bridge Architecture

The bridge infrastructure consists of three main components:

  1. Verification Layer: Validates the authenticity of cross-chain messages

    • Light client implementations for major chains
    • Merkle proof verification
    • Stake-based validator network

  2. Transport Layer: Ensures reliable message delivery

    • Message queuing system
    • Retry mechanisms
    • Incentivized relayer network

  3. Execution Layer: Processes the cross-chain instructions

    • Contract call framework
    • Asset minting/burning
    • State synchronization

Security Model

The security of the bridge is ensured through a combination of:

  • Multi-Party Computation (MPC): For signing cross-chain transactions
  • Stake-Based Validation: Validators stake NOVA tokens as collateral
  • Fraud Proofs: Allows challenging invalid state transitions
  • Governance Oversight: Emergency shutdown capability

Performance Considerations

The bridge architecture balances security and performance through:

  • Batched message processing
  • Optimistic validation with delayed finality
  • Parallel processing of independent transactions
  • ZK-rollup inspired compression techniques

Cross-Chain Smart Contract Platform

A key upcoming feature is the cross-chain smart contract platform, allowing developers to build applications that span multiple blockchains.

Cross-Chain VM

The Cross-Chain Virtual Machine (CCVM) provides:

  • Common execution environment across chains
  • Cross-chain state access primitives
  • Unified gas model for multi-chain execution
  • Language-agnostic interface for blockchain communication

Smart Contract Interface

Developers will be able to use a unified interface for cross-chain operations:

// Example interface for cross-chain contract calls
interface ICrossChainCall {
    // Send a message to another chain
    function sendMessage(
        uint256 targetChainId,
        address targetContract,
        bytes calldata data,
        uint256 gasLimit
    ) external payable returns (bytes32 messageId);
    
    // Receive a message from another chain
    function receiveMessage(
        uint256 sourceChainId,
        address sourceContract,
        bytes calldata data,
        bytes calldata proof
    ) external returns (bool);
}

Use Cases

The cross-chain smart contract platform enables several advanced use cases:

  1. Cross-Chain DeFi:

    • Liquidity aggregation across chains
    • Multi-chain yield farming
    • Chain-agnostic lending and borrowing

  2. Unified Digital Identity:

    • Consistent identity verification across chains
    • Cross-chain reputation systems
    • Portable KYC/AML verification

  3. Gaming and NFTs:

    • Cross-chain NFT movement and functionality
    • Multi-chain gaming environments
    • Chain-agnostic metaverse assets

  4. Enterprise Solutions:

    • Cross-chain supply chain tracking
    • Multi-ledger settlement systems
    • Chain-agnostic business logic

Developer Resources

Integration Guide

For developers looking to integrate with Supernova's cross-chain features, we provide:

  1. SDKs and Libraries:

    • JavaScript/TypeScript SDK (available now)
    • Rust client library (available now)
    • Python SDK (in development)
    • Go client library (in development)

  2. API Documentation:

    • REST API for cross-chain status
    • WebSocket API for real-time updates
    • JSON-RPC methods for wallet integration

  3. Testing Framework:

    • Local development environment
    • Cross-chain test networks
    • Automated testing tools

Example Implementation

Basic atomic swap implementation in Rust:

use supernova_crosschain::{AtomicSwap, SwapParams, ChainIdentifier};

async fn create_swap() -> Result<SwapId, SwapError> {
    // Initialize the cross-chain client
    let client = CrossChainClient::new(config);
    
    // Create atomic swap parameters
    let params = SwapParams {
        source_chain: ChainIdentifier::Supernova,
        target_chain: ChainIdentifier::Bitcoin,
        asset_to_send: Asset::new("NOVA", 1_000_000_000), // 10 NOVA
        asset_to_receive: Asset::new("BTC", 50_000_000),  // 0.5 BTC
        recipient: "bc1qxy2kgdygjrsqtzq2n0yrf2493p83kkfjhx0wlh".to_string(),
        timeout_blocks: 144, // ~24 hours on Bitcoin
        use_quantum_resistant: true,
    };
    
    // Initiate the swap
    let swap_id = client.create_atomic_swap(params).await?;
    
    println!("Swap created with ID: {}", swap_id);
    println!("Share this ID with your counterparty");
    
    Ok(swap_id)
}

Roadmap

The cross-chain interoperability features will be rolled out in phases:

Phase 1: Foundation (In Progress)

  • Complete atomic swap protocol for BTC and ETH
  • Deploy relayer network for message passing
  • Launch testnet bridge for selected partner chains

Phase 2: Ecosystem Expansion (Q3-Q4 2025)

  • Extend support to 10+ major blockchain networks
  • Deploy mainnet bridge with security audits
  • Release cross-chain developer SDK

Phase 3: Advanced Features (Q1-Q2 2026)

  • Launch cross-chain smart contract platform
  • Implement ZK-proof based private transfers
  • Deploy decentralized governance for bridge parameters

Conclusion

Supernova's cross-chain interoperability is a cornerstone of our vision for a connected blockchain ecosystem. By creating secure, efficient bridges between networks, we're enabling a new generation of applications that can leverage the strengths of multiple chains while providing a seamless user experience.

For more information or to participate in testing, please contact the Supernova development team or join our developer community on Discord.

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